Hypothermia commonly occurs as a result of the body being exposed to ultra-cold conditions and an inability to retain heat as fast the body loses it. Hypothermia's earliest stage, mild hypothermia, is the easiest and least complicated to manage. By recognizing its symptoms and most common causes, the effects of mild hypothermia can be treated quickly.

Steps

Method1

Treating Mild Hypothermia

1

Check the person's body temperature. If you have quick access to a thermometer, you can check the person's temperature. The typical body temperature usually sits around 98°F (36.7°C). Mild hypothermia can manifest with a body temperature of 96–97.5°F (35.6–35.4°C). If it's lower than this, the hypothermia may be severe and you should seek medical help. [1]

Make sure to check his pulse and breathing. A person with severe hypothermia may appear unconscious, have a low pulse and difficulty breathing. If his breathing has stopped and you are trained in CPR, you can administer it immediately to get him breathing again. In all cases that breathing or pulse is abnormal, contact emergency medical service immediately by calling 911. [2]

2

Move the person out of the cold. If the person was outside in inclement weather without protection, in cold water, or even an elderly person in air conditioning for too long, make sure to remove her from the situation. The body will not be able to warm back up until the root cause of the temperature drop is changed.

If the person was in water, remove her wet clothes immediately. You will want to keep her movement as minimal as possible, so if needed, use scissors to cut the clothing away. Dry her off with towels, and cover her with blankets, being sure to put a blanket beneath her to insulate her from the ground.

If you are unable to get the person inside quickly, insulate her from the cold best you can. For example, put dry blankets or clothing below her so that she is not sitting on the cold ground.

3

Cover the person in warm, dry blankets. You want to avoid warming him up too quickly as this can cause the body to go into shock. Blankets are a great way to gradually raise body temperature while allowing the person to retain his own body heat, without making the changes too dramatic. [3]

If possible, give her a liquid that contains calories such as broth, soup, or warm milk. Carbohydrate-rich food will quickly release energy into the bloodstream, which causes a brief and sudden surge of heat. Also, proteins will help over time build up heat as her body attempts to metabolize it.

5

Share body heat to raise temperatures. Remove both of your clothing and lay skin-to-skin with the person under a blanket. This will raise the person's body heat gradually. [5]

Method2

Recognizing and Avoiding Mild Hypothermia Risks

1

Know when to seek medical help. What starts as mild hypothermia can worsen into a condition that needs immediate help. Some signs to look for include confusion, shallow breathing, a weak pulse, or body parts like limbs or lips turning colors, which can indicate moderate to severe hypothermia.

If you see these signs do not try to move the person as these jarring movements can cause severe complications, especially to the heart. Severe hypothermia can cause complications like deadening of tissue like frostbite or even death. However, be sure to cover the person in dry blankets and remove wet clothing while you wait for help to arrive. [6]

2

Do not apply direct heat to the afflicted person. This includes a heating pad or hot water because this can cause irregular heartbeats or a burn injury. If you have access to something like a warm first-aid compress, apply this to her neck, chest, or groin. Do not apply to arms or legs because this forces cold blood from her extremities back into her lung or heart. This can be fatal.

3

Avoid prolonged exposure to cold environments. Do not stay out in the cold too long, particularly if you are not wearing the proper clothing.

Just because someone is indoors does not eliminate the risk of hypothermia. People, especially infants or elderly, that are in places with inadequate heating or air conditioning that is too cold can get hypothermia. [7]

4

Understand who is at risk for hypothermia. A number of factors like age, health, and medications can make someone more prone to hypothermia. You can take extra steps to make sure these at-risk people are not exposed to environments conducive to hypothermia. [8]

People who are very young or very old. Older people can have trouble regulating temperature and are more susceptible to environmental problems. Children lose heat faster than adults and may also lack the development and faculties to remove themselves from a situation, such as playing too long in the cold.

Alcohol and drug users. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate which means the body will lose heat faster. Also, the shiver response to cold that can help warm the body naturally is diminished when intoxicated. If you or a friend are intending to drink alcohol, avoid situations that can lead to hypothermia.

Medical conditions can affect the body's ability to regulate body temperature. These include an underactive thyroid, nerve damage, or even arthritis. If you or someone you know has these medical conditions you'll want to be aware of their sensitivities to environmental extremes like cold. Also, medications to treat a variety of conditions can affect how the body is able to regulate its own temperature. If you have any questions about the risk factors of a certain medication you should consult your physician. [9]

5

Take steps to prevent hypothermia risk. Make sure to wear warm clothing in the cold, stay dry, and avoid activities that would make you sweat too much in cold weather.

Watch children carefully. Make sure they are adequately dressed. If they begin to shiver or are outside for too long, make sure they are coming inside regularly to warm up.

Keep emergency kits in your car. Anytime you are driving in the winter, a simple car malfunction can put you at risk for hypothermia. Keep candles, matches, blankets, and food and water in the back of the car in case you get stuck. If you break down somewhere cold, take the supplies in the car with you and if there are more than one of you, huddle together for warmth.

Be careful of exposure to cold water. Water does not need to be extremely cold to cause hypothermia and prolonged exposure to even cool water can bring it about. If you fall in cold water, get out as soon as possible. While you are in the water, do not attempt to swim unless you are close to safety as this can use up energy. Do not remove your clothing while in the water since this can help insulate you from the water.

Community Q&A

This can vary depending on how severe the hypothermia was, the person's age, health, and the treatment the person receives. Generally, once the person's temperature returns to normal and they are no longer dehydrated, they should begin to feel better.

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Warnings

Avoid alcohol, which increases the heat lost; caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and increases dehydration; and tobacco or nicotine, which constrict blood vessels and can increase the risk of frostbite to appendages not staying warm enough.

If there is any doubt about the person's medical condition, make sure to call for help as soon as possible. In the meantime of help arriving, you can take the above steps.